Handcuff



March 13, t Y sMn'H-STANGE HANDCUFF Filed July 18, 1931 INVENTOR YnzfeSmith-Stange.

A BY

A'TTORNEY Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATE OFFICEl HANDCUFFApplication July 18, 1931, Serial No. 551,587

13 Claims.

The invention relates to handcuffs and like implements especiallyadapted for use by police oicers, and the primary object thereof is toprovide a practical implement having a handle bar at one end, a pair ofpivoted jaws at the other end, and operating means for the jaws of acharacter such as to permit of a rapid and eiectual seizure of thesubject by imparting to the handle bar a short twisting movement.

Another object is to provide in such an implement a rugged and easilydisengaged ratchet device operating automatically in the closure of thejaws about the wrist to hold the jaws positively against openingmovement.

A further object is to provide a conveniently operable locking devicefor holding the jaws in wide open position so as to permit the latter tobe grasped safely by the hand of the user when employing the handle baras a striking weapon.

Still another object is to provide a handcuff in which the operatingmeans includes a rotary shaft and an actuating member for the jawsmovable axially in the rotation of the shaft, with a novel andstructurally advantageous connection between the jaws and theiractuating member.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing forming a part hereof in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through the body and showingthe jaws and operating means in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a similar View but with the jaws in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section, illustratingparticularly the ratchet and lock.

As herein shown, the implement comprises a body having a cylindrical hubor shank 10 with a transverse enlargement forming an elongated head l1which is provided in one side with an elongated central slot 12. A pairof curved arms 13, constituting the jaws of the device, have their innerends entered into opposite ends of the slot 12 and secured to the head11 by means of pivot pins 14.

The operating means for the jaws 13 comprises an actuating member 15interposed between the inner ends of the jaws 13, within the slot 12,and having rounded ends 16 engaging in sockets 17 formed in the innerends o1" the jaws 13. Further, a rotary shaft or spindle 13 extendsaxially through the cylindrical shank 1G and the head 11 of the body andhas a screwby the side walls of the slots 12, and that in Y such axialmovement, the jaws 13 will be swung either toward or away from eachother. In either'case, the actuating member 15 is moved a distance equalto thesum of the pitches of the two threads 19 and 20.

Preferably, in order to add to the convenience of operation, the pitchesof the threads are such that the spindle need be turned throughone-quarter of a revolution only to move the ris jaws from their'extremeopen position to their closed position and vice versa; and in mostinstances, it is found necessary to impart tothe spindle substantiallyless than a quarter turn.

The use of a lower pitched thread at the portion of the spindle engagingthe body, as compared with the threads engaging the actuating member, isadvantageous for the reason that the former thread, being of lowerpitch, reduces the endwise or axial movement of the spindle to a minimumand thus avoids projection of the spindle beyond the body when the jawsare being closed about the wrist of the subject. As a result, possibleinjury to the subject is avoided.

Rotation of the spindle is accomplished by means of a handle bar 21rigid with the end thereof opposite the jaws 13. The spindle is ofsubstantially greater length than the body, and between the handle barand the body is interposed a ratchet device, including a sleeve 22, anda ratchet locking device including a sleeve 23. The sleeve 22 isoperatively associated with the outer end of the shank 10 of the bodythrough the medium oi relatively steep interengaging ratchet teeth 24,and the sleeve is mounted on the spindle so as to be held againstrotation relative thereto but capable of axial movement. For thispurpose, a pin 25 projects radially from the spindle and engages in anopen-ended slot 26 in the sleeve.

The locking sleeve 23 is mounted on the spindle adjacent the handle bar21, and has a screw threaded connection 27 therewith so as to be capableof axial movement, upon rotation relative to the spindle, into and outof engagement with the ratchet sleeve 22. In the present instance, thelocking sleeve 23 is counterbored to receive the outer end of theratchet sleeve 22, and its locking engagement with the latter is throughthe medium of an annular shoulder provided by a rib 218 on the ratchetsleeve. A coiled expansion spring 29 encircles the spindle within thelocking sleeve 23 and engages with the ratchet sleeve to hold ityieldably in operative association with the shank 10 of the body.

When the device is used as a handcuif, the parts are initially in therelation shown in Fig. 1 with the jaws open and the locking sleeveturned to its outermost position so as to` permit a relatively freeyielding of the ratchet sleeve. Upon application of the jaws to thewrist or other part of the body, the handle may be given a partial turnso as to draw the actuating member 15 into the slot 12 and swing thejaws 13 toward each other. In such operation, the ratchet sleeve is freeto yield, and the interengaging ratchet teeth 24 operate automaticallyas the jaws move inwardly to prevent reverse movement.

Rapid movement of the jaws is insured by the combined action of theoppositely Ydisposed threads 19 and 20. When the jaws have been swunginwardly to a suicient degree, the locking sleeve 23 may be turnedbetween the fingers of the hand which grasp the handle bar, in adirection to cause the sleeve to move axially into engagement with theshoulder provided by the rib 28 on the ratchet sleeve, and thus lock thejaws against movement in an opening direction. By a reverse rotation ofthe locking sleeve, it may be restored to its inoperative position, andthereupon the ratchet Sleeve may be grasped between two ngers of thehand and withdrawn bodily so as to disengage the ratchet teeth 24 andthus permit reverse rotation of the spindle for the purpose of openingthe device. It will be observed in this latter connection that the shank10 of the body and the ratchet sleeve 22 are so proportioned as topermit the convenient positioning of the ngers of the hand between thehead 11 and the rib 28 on diametrically opposite sides thereof, and thatthe rib constitutes an enlargement vwith which the fingers thus placedmay readily and conveniently engage upon withdrawing the ratchet sleeveinto disengaged relation with the body.

When the implement is used as a striking weapon, it is grasped byplacing the hand between the open jaws and extending the fingers aroundthe body. When the device is thus to be used, the locking sleeve is rstoperated into holding relation to the ratchet sleeve so as positively toprevent danger to the user should the subject grasp the handle bar andendeavor to turn it in a direction to contract the jaws upon the hand bywhich they are held.

The implement thus provided has been found to meet satisfactorily all ofthe requirements of a practical manacle due to its rugged character andits easy and convenient operation.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior applicationSerial No. 519,332, filed March 2, 1931.

I claim as my invention:

1. A handcui comprising, in combination, a

body, a spindle rotatably mounted in said body, a pair of jaws pivotedto said body on opposite sides of said spindle and having arms extendingtoward said spindle with sockets in their ends, and an actuating memberslidably and non-rotatably mounted in said body member and threaded onsaid spindle, said member havingv parts fitting into the sockets in thearms of the respective jaws adapted to swing the jaws when the nut ismoved by said spindle.

2. A handcuff comprising, in combination, a body having ratchet teethformed thereon, a pair of jaws pivotally secured to said body, anactuating member for swinging said jaws, a spindle threaded into saidbody for moving said member, a ratchet sleeve mounted on said spindlefor rotation therewith and slidable relative thereto, said ratchetsleeve having teeth adapted to mesh with said teeth on the body andformed to prevent rotation of said spindle to open said jaws, a lockingsleeve threaded onto said spindle and adapted to be turned into abutmentwith said ratchet sleeve to lock it against rotation in both directions,and a spring interposed between said ratchet sleeve and said lockingsleeve and tending to hold the teeth on said ratchet sleeve in mesh withthe teeth on the body.

3. A handcuff comprising, in combination, a body member having ratchetteeth formed thereon, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in said bodymember, means for swinging said jaws including a spindle rotatablymounted in said body member, a sleeve mounted to rotate with saidspindle and slidable relative thereto and having teeth adapted to meshwith said teeth on the body member to prevent rotation of said spindlein one direction, and means mounted on said spindle adapted to lock saidsleeve against sliding movement to prevent rotation of lsaid spindle inboth directions.

4. A handcuff comprising, in combination, a body having a shank formedthereon, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in said body, means forswinging said jaws including a spindle rotatably mounted in said shank,a sleeve mounted adjacent said shank to rotate with said spindle andslidable relative thereto, ratchet teeth formed on the adjacent ends ofsaid shank and said sleeve adapted when engaged to prevent rotation ofsaid spindle in one direction, and means for locking said sleeve againstmovement in a direction to disengage said teeth whereby said teeth willhold said spindle against rotation in both directions.

5. A handcuff comprising, in combination, a body member, a pair of jawspivotally mounted to swing relative to said body member, means forswinging said jaws including a spindle rotatably rncunted in saidmember, a ratchet sleeve mounted on said spindle and having alongitudinal slot therein, ratchet teeth formed on the adjacent ends ofsaid body member and said ratchet sleeve adapted when engaged to preventrotation of said sleeve in one direction, a pin extending from saidspindle into said slot tov cause said sleeve to rotate with said spindlebut permitting relative longitudinal movement, and a locking sleeveenclosing the slotted portion of said ratchet sleeve and adapted to abutagainst the latter to prevent longitudinal movement thereof to lock theratchet teeth in engagement and prevent rotation of the spindle in bothdirections.

6. A handcui comprising, in combination, a

body having a shank, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in said body,means for swinging said jaws including a spindle rotatably mounted insaid body, a ratchet sleeve mounted adjacent said shank to rotate withsaid spindle and slidable relative thereto, ratchet teeth formed on theadjacent ends of said shank and sleeve adapted when engaged to preventrotation of said spindle in one direction, a locking sleeve threaded onsaid spindle and enclosing the adjacent end of said ratchet sleeve, saidlocking sleeve being adapted to prevent sliding movement of said ratchetsleeve to lock the ratchet teeth in engagement and prevent rotation ofthe spindle in both directions, and a spring enclosed within saidlocking sleeve and bearing against said ratchet sleeve tending to holdthe ratchet teeth in engagement.

'7. A handcuff comprising, in combination, a body, a pair of jawspivotally mounted in said body, a member mounted in said body forswinging said jaws, and a spindle having two sets of threads of oppositepitch formed thereon turning respectively in said body member and saiddog, the pitch of the threads turning in the body member being less thanthe pitch of the other threads to impart a relatively smaller axialmovement to the spindle relative to the body than is imparted to saidmember.

8. A handcui comprising a body having a head and a shank disposedcentrally of the head at one side thereof, a pair of jaws mounted atopposite ends of said head, a spindle mounted in the head axially oisaid shank and operatively connected with said jaws, said spindle beingof a length to extend a substantial distance from said body and having ahandle bar rigid 'with its outer end, a spring pressed sleeve slidableon the spindle and having a one-way ratchet engagement with said shank,an annular rib on said sleeve spaced from said head to permit thepositioning of the lingers of the hand on said bar between the rib andthe head, and a locking sleeve on the spindle adjacent the handle baroperable into holding engagement with said rib.

9. A handcui comprising, in combination, a body having a shank, a pairof jaws swingably mounted in said body, means for swinging said jawsincluding a spindle rotatably mounted in said body, a ratchet sleevemounted adjacent said shank to rotate with said spindle and slidablerelative thereto, ratchet teeth formed on the adjacent ends of saidshank and sleeve adapted when engaged to prevent rotation of saidspindle in one direction, a lookin(T sleeve threaded on said spindle andmovable into engagement with said ratchet sleeve to lock the teeththereof in engagement with the teeth on said shank and thus preventrotation of the spindle in both directions, and spring means acting uponsaid ratchet sleeve and tending to hold said ratchet teeth inengagement.

10. A handcui comprising, in combination, a body member formed withratchet teeth, a pair of jaws mounted to swing relative to said body,actuating means for said jaws including a spindle having ascrew-threaded engagement with the body, a sleeve slidably butnon-rotatably mounted on said spindle, said sleeve and body havingratchet teeth adapted to be inter-engaged to prevent rotation of thesleeve in one direction, a second sleeve on the spindle in telescopingrelation to the ratchet sleeve and forming therewith a chamber aroundthe spindle, and a spring interposed between said two sleeves within thechamber and tending to force said ratchet sleeve in a direction toengage the ratchet teeth on the body.

l1. A handcuf comprising, in combination, a body member, a pair of jawsmounted on the body member for swinging movement, actuating means forthe jaws including a Spindle having a screw-threaded engagement with thebody member and operatively connected with said jaws, a sleeve on saidspindle having a longitudinal slot in one end thereof, a pin on thespindle engaging in said slot to hold the sleeve against rotation, saidsleeve and body having inter-engageable ratchet teeth, a springencircling said spindle and engaging said sleeve to hold said ratchetteeth normally in engagement, a handle on the end of said spindleopposite said jaws, and means encircling said spindle adjacent thehandle and serving to enclose said spring.

12. A handcuff comprising a body having a head and a shank disposedcentrally of the head at one side thereof, a pair of jaws mountedswingably at opposite ends of said head, a spindle mounted in the headaxially of said shank and operatively connected with said jaws, saidspindle being of a length to extend a substantial distance from saidbody and having a handle bar rigid with its outer end, a spring pressedsleeve slidable on the spindle and having a one-way ratchet engagementwith said shank, an annular rib on said sleeve spaced from said head topermit the positioning of the fingers of the hand on said bar betweenthe rib and the head, and a locking sleeve on the spindle adjacent thehandle bar and having an inner end portion in telescoping relation tothe outer end portion of the locking sleeve.

13. A handcuff comprising a body having a head and a shank disposedcentrally of the head at one side thereof, a pair of jaws mountedswingably at opposite ends of said head, a spindle mounted in the headaxially of said shank and operatively connected with said jaws, saidspindle being of a length to extend a substantial distance from saidbody and having a handle bar rigid with its outer end, a spring pressedsleeve slidable on the spindle and having a one-way ratchet engagementwith said shank, an annular rib on said sleeve spaced from said head topermit the positioning of the fingers of the hand on said bar betweenthe rib and the head, and a second sleeve screw-threaded on the spindleadjacent the handle bar having an inner end portion in telescopingrelation to the outer end portion of the ratchet sleeve with its innerend forming a stop adapted for engagement by said rib.

YNGVE SMITH-STANGE.

